World Cup 2026 Injury Tracker: Saliba and Rashford Near Full Fitness as Group Stage Concludes

The grueling pace of the expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup is testing the physical limits of the world's best squads. As the group stage reaches its decisive final matches, national team medical staffs are working around the clock to clear key players for action. For several tournament heavyweights, the news from the treatment room is overwhelmingly positive, providing a vital morale boost ahead of the knockout rounds.[3]

France has received a massive defensive lift with the return of William Saliba. The Arsenal center-back had been managing a back injury that briefly cast doubt on his tournament participation. However, Saliba has successfully resumed full training, solidifying a French backline that remains one of the most formidable in the competition.

His availability allows head coach Didier Deschamps to maintain his preferred defensive structure without compromising on distribution from the back. For a French side with deep ambitions, having a fully fit Saliba is a cornerstone of their tactical blueprint as they prepare for the tournament's latter stages.[3]

In the England camp, manager Thomas Tuchel is carefully managing the fitness of dynamic forward Marcus Rashford. Rashford had been dealing with hamstring discomfort in the build-up to the Three Lions' clash with Ghana.[1]

Despite the scare, Rashford was cleared to feature off the bench late in the 0-0 draw, injecting much-needed pace into the English attack. With England sitting on four points in Group L, Tuchel now faces a crucial decision on whether to unleash a fully fit Rashford from the start in their group finale against Panama on June 27.[1]

South American dark horse Paraguay is also breathing a sigh of relief regarding star attacker Julio Enciso. The 21-year-old playmaker avoided a catastrophic thigh injury that many feared would end his tournament prematurely.

While the Paraguayan medical staff is taking a cautious approach to his reintegration, Enciso remains in contention for the latter stages of the group phase. His creative spark is essential for Paraguay's hopes of breaking down stubborn defenses, making his avoided injury a massive win for the squad.[2]

However, the physical toll of the tournament has not spared everyone. Host nation Germany was rocked by the confirmation that center-back Nico Schlotterbeck will miss the remainder of the World Cup.

Schlotterbeck sustained a torn medial collateral ligament in his left ankle during the first half of Germany's 2-1 comeback victory over the Ivory Coast in Toronto. He was substituted at halftime for Antonio Rüdiger, who is now expected to partner Jonathan Tah at the heart of Julian Nagelsmann's defense.

Senegal is facing a similar defensive reshuffle after losing veteran goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. The 34-year-old suffered a knee ligament issue while attempting a save during Monday's 3-2 defeat to Norway.

Mendy was forced off in the 63rd minute and has been officially ruled out of Senegal's must-win Group I finale against Iraq. The Senegalese federation confirmed that further medical examinations are underway to determine if Mendy can play any further part should the team advance.

As the tournament transitions toward the unforgiving knockout bracket, the contrast between returning stars and departing casualties highlights the razor-thin margins of international football. For teams like France and England, timely medical clearances might just be the catalyst needed to lift the trophy in July.[1]